The Delhi Sultans

Chapter
3, Class 7 NCERT History Our Pasts II

Question 1: Which ruler first established his or her capital at
Delhi?

Answer: Anangpal of Tomara Rajput dynasty established his capital at Delhi.

Question 2: What was the language of administration under the
Delhi Sultans?

Answer:
Persian was the language of administration under the Delhi Sultans.

Question 3: In whose reign did the Sultanate reach its farthest
extent?

Answer:
In the reign of Alauddin the Sultanate reached its farthest extent.

Question 4: From which country did Ibn Battuta travel to India?

Answer:
From Morocco in Africa.

Question 5: According to the "Circle of Justice", why
was it important for military commanders to keep the interests of the peasantry
in mind?

Answer:
It is important for military commanders to keep the interest of the peasantry
in mind because a king cannot survive without paying salaries. Salaries came
from the the revenue (taxes) collected from peasants. But peasants can pay
revenue only when they are happy. This could happen only when the king promotes
justice and honest governance.

Question 6: What is meant by the "internal" and "external"
frontiers of the Sultanate?

Answer:

Internal
Frontier - It is the hinterland of the garrison town.

External
Frontier - These are the areas beyond the hinterland of the garrison town.

Question 7: What are the steps taken to ensure that muqtis
performed their duties? Why do you think they may have wanted to defy the
orders of the Sultans?

Answer:
Accountants were appointed by the state to check the amount of revenue
collected by th muqtis. Care was taken that the muqtis collected only the taxes
prescribed by the state and not more than that. It was also ensured that he
kept the required number of soldiers and paid them from the revenues collected.

The
muqtis may have wanted to defy the orders of the Sultans because of tough
restrictions imposed on them. Control over muqtis was not effective if their
offices were not inheritable and if they were assigned iqtas for a short period
of time before being shifted.

Question 8: What was the impact of the Mongol invasions on the
Delhi Sultanate?

Answer:
The Mongols under Chenghiz Khan invaded Transoxiana in Northeast Iran in 1219
and the Delhi Sultanate started to face their attacks soon after this. Mongol
attacks on Delhi Sultanate increased during the reign of Alauddin Khalji and in
the early years of Muhammad Tughluq's rule. Some of the impacts of the Mongol invasions
on the Delhi Sultanate were -

Mobilizing a large army in Delhi
which posed administrative challenge.

Construction of a new garrison
town at Siri for soldiers by Alauddin Khalji.

Imposition of new taxes.

Shifting of residents of Delhi to
Daulatabad in the south and covering Delhi into a garrison town by
Muhammad Tughluq.